[van-announce] trials to begin on police riot at Hyatt

[ron]

From: Imarcuse at alternatives.com
Date: Sat, 20 Sep 2003 02:02:36 -0700
Subject: police riot at Hyatt...

Dear friends,


Please circulate this message as widely as possible. Can someone pass
this onto indymedia and any other relevant listserve. We need people
out to this trial!!!



  TRIALS TO BEGIN ON POLICE RIOT AT THE HYATT.


Please join in support of protesters on Monday, Sept. 22 at 10:00AM -
Supreme Court (800 Smythe) under Tan verses City of Vancouver.


After almost 5 years, the civil suit against police actions at the
Hyatt will finally begin.  This trial is expected to last three days.


In December of 1998, Jean Chretian was speaking at a fundraising dinner
at the Hyatt Hotel. Thousands gathered in a spirited non-violent
demonstration to express concern and anger with the Liberal
government's neoliberal globalization and social policies. Following
the arrest of a small group of protesters who broke through police
lines, a crowd control unit (riot squad) was deployed. Within minutes,
the crowd control unit marched into the crowd and began clubbing anyone
within reach of their batons. Many people were injured and a number of
people were arrested for refusing to move.


Many questions have arisen as to the justification for this full scale
attack on the demonstrators. Why was no warning given to demonstrators?
Who ordered the attack? and many more questions still need to be
answered. A public enquiry was ordered and to date, is still not
complete.


Finally, a trial will take place to be heard by an independent jury.
Sid Tan is the remaining plaintiff to carry this trail forward. It is
important that the public now hear what happened but Sid Tan needs our
support, both in solidarity and any witnesses who would be willing to
testify.


For more information, contact Ian Marcuse @ 604-253-6281